Wednesday, January 30, 2013

While on my collage 'bender' I've begun using a technique I first saw in Fiona Dempster's work. It requires taking some printed text ( a scrap of a page from an old book, or poem) and burning out most of the text with an incense stick, leaving only words that relate to your image.

A PENANCE - painted and burnt papers, rusted metal and cloth, found object.

ILLUMINATED - burnt and painted papers, found metal object

THE GRUDGING SOIL - burnt, painted and handmade papers,found image

I just LOVE the way this technique adds conviction to the chosen words. I'm off to do more.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

This is my favourite time of year....a time when I can immerse myself in my stash of paper and found objects, paint and pen...and this year my sewing machine. I am preparing for the International Collage Exchange.Coincidentally, Simon Says has a 'lace' challenge and I've been doing some lace stuff.
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Poppies and Lace

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Femininity

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Joining Clubs

While the last one is not strictly 'lace' it sneaks in under the wire as 'lacing' perhaps.﻿

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

...that's the title of the first online exhibition I'm participating in this year.

My friend, Dale Copeland, who is a very creative assemblage artist, hosts online exhibitions every month on her site at Virtual TART. This month 56 artists from 8 different countries each have a work displayed. Some are for sale.

The Secret

I chose to illustrate a quote from the Buddha using my favourite medium... collage. I feel so strongly about this quote that I've incorporated many spiritual symbols into the work.Symbolism of Three :God’s attributes are three - omniscience, omnipresence and
omnipotence.
The three divisions of time are past, present and future.
The sum of all human ability is threefold - thought, word and deed.
The three kingdoms of matter are animal, vegetable or mineral.

Symbolism of Circle:

The Circle is an unbroken line,
which has no beginning, no end and no direction. Because of these attributes,
The Circle represents a completeness, which encompasses all space and time. It is also a Symbol of
perfection and unity.

Symbolism of Square:

The four sides of a square represent:the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west),

I love the Exchange and this will be my third year of participation.Dale has collected works from each Exchange since it's inception, and has had her favourites published in two books.My collage, following, is on page 58 of the second book.

There's A Zebra In The Flower Patch

If it wasn't for the internet these opportunities would have passed me by. Hooray for modern technology!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Well, all the distracting frivolity is over and now I can retreat to my favourite place...my studio.First cab off the rank is some painting, slightly more 'commercial' than abstract. I've revamped two previous works, and completed a new one, for Studio 4 Gallery's January group show.